View full sizeThese four people were arrested by Shelby County sheriff's deputies. They are from top left, Chandra Patel and Nalini Chandra Patel; from bottom left, Nichole Shaunte Smith and Wilson Mwai Kamonde. (Special/Shelby County Sheriff's Office)

The Shelby County Drug Task Force made four arrests after executing search warrants at three businesses where "fake weed" was found, the sheriff's office said today.

The first place searched was Mission Hills Chevron in Alabaster, where Nicole Shaunte Smith, 25, of Montevallo was charged with one count of unlawful possession of chemical compounds, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

A search warrant was executed at Crossroads Food Mart in on Alabama 119 in Montevallo, the sheriff's office said. Arrested was Chandra Patel, 52, of Montevallo, who was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of chemical compounds and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, the sheriff's office said.

Also arrested was Nalini Chandra Patel, 40, who was charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a chemical compound and unlawful possession of a drug paraphernalia, the sheriff's office said.

A third search took place at the Pit Stop on Alabama 119 in Montevallo, where Wilson Mwai Kamonde, 39, of Montevallo was charged with four counts of unlawful possession of chemical compounds, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a pistol without a permit, the sheriff's office said.

"At each location, agents found several individually wrapped bags of salvia divinorum or what is commonly known as "serenity" or "fake weed," the sheriff's office stated.

A press release from the shriff's office went on, "Agents also recovered drug paraphernalia used for smoking salvia. Each business that was searched was part of an investigation that included the sale of chemicals that are intended to be used as a substitute for marijuana and as part of a response by the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force to complaints about these stores and the illegal activity."

Lt. Chris George, commander of the drug task force, said, "These stores are making great profit by targeting children who come to buy 'fake weed.' We will continue to respond to complaints about these stores with search warrants and attempt to revoke their license to operate.

"Store owners should conduct a review with their clerks in how items are sold and be mindful that we will follow up on all complaints, regardless of how small."